Elden Ring

[P_3]

Got my hands on a PS5 at last. Will finally be firing up Elden Ring this evening having watched Yev and Baz at the beginning of their journeys however many weeks ago. Going to be epic.

[Raoul Duke]

10 hours in and I'm still dicking around in Limgrave. Speedrunner completes the game in < 30 mins (https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-14-elden-ring-now-completed-in-just-33-minutes)

[Andrew]

10 hours in and I'm still dicking around in Limgrave. Speedrunner completes the game in < 30 mins (https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-14-elden-ring-now-completed-in-just-33-minutes)

20 hours in and I've spent 19 of them picking flowers and mushrooms!!

[P_3]

3 hours in and I have finally found some clothes to wear. Wretch for life.

[Yevrah]

3 hours in and I have finally found some clothes to wear. Wretch for life.

:D

I remember the Wretch start, it was a thoroughly enjoyable nightmare. I might be mis-remembering but it felt like I was useless for the first 10 hours. :drool:

[phonics]

I am at the final boss. I did it once and going to take a break. As I quit the game I was at exactly 60 hours and 30 seconds.

[Andrew]

This game is something special just riding round on horseback exploring riding through the woods in fog and the sunshine breaks through the trees is a sight to behold.

I'm having more fun finding the grace points and exploring the map than killing things.

So far I've found a portal behind one of the churches that teleports you off to the top right of the map (not before a fucking lobster killed me)

Killed Margot.

Killed a spinning see through not a real boss in a goldmine somewhere.

Killed another not a real boss in a different gold mine.

Died to a lobster

Died to virtually everything I've stumbled across that has a hp bar

Reached lvl 40

Pissed off one of the npc in the Hold where all the Tarnished hangout last time I teleported there it attacked me and I died.

Be nice to get some decent looking armour to go with my shiny shield and my pointy stick.

[Yevrah]

Going back over Limgrave in Journey 2 and it's crazy how much stuff I missed. Two dungeons, a bandit camp and a boss so far that are all new this time round. And Limgrave was comfortably the area I spent the most time in on the first playthrough.

Absolute masterpiece so it is.

[Andrew]

Going back over Limgrave in Journey 2 and it's crazy how much stuff I missed. Two dungeons, a bandit camp and a boss so far that are all new this time round. And Limgrave was comfortably the area I spent the most time in on the first playthrough.

Absolute masterpiece so it is.

I've tried avoiding any videos or guides about this game and want to see if I can become Elden Lord without using any outside help.

Although if its not possible to just out level everything and beat the upcoming bosses that way I might just cave in and get me one of the boss melted in 3 seconds weapons...

[Browning]

I wish I could get into this more but it’s just not clicking for me. May have to try it in multiplayer to see if it’s any more fun.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I wish I could get into this more but it’s just not clicking for me. May have to try it in multiplayer to see if it’s any more fun.

Yep, I think I've fully given up on it now.

Just not my game sadly which is a shame as almost everyone is raving about it.

[AyDee]

Took me probably 10 hours to start really enjoying the game. ~27 hours in now and loving it. Fairly OP for the area but have beaten Margit and now working my way through completing Limgrave, Weeping Peninsula etc.

Can easily see me racking up 100 hours.

[Yevrah]

Patch out, the God weapons have been nerfed.

[Andrew]

Just got my hands on that ashen war stomp weapon....think I'll wait to update the game for a while.

I don't play online so don't really effect me not keeping the game upto date.

I think some weapons are still insanely powerful though although that last speed run record won't be beaten now

[Yevrah]

Mine updated overnight and just had a go with the Sword of Night and Flame against the Crucible Night in the Evergaol. Journey 2 admittedly, but it was pointless using the special attack on it ahead of just hitting it instead.

[Andrew]

My ps5 has been "off" so I'm hoping it hasn't managed to update at least.

I've got the ice pick axe that has the ashes of war freeze and its made the 1st main boss easy mode.

I love these games but some of the bosses in them and I include Bloodborne I only managed to beat because my stats became so high from grinding over amd over again.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, I'm now wondering how I'll beat some of the later bosses again when the difficulty seriously ramps up.

[phonics]

I did it all with no spells or god weapons 100 levels below you Yev. You’ll be fine.

[Andrew]

Just got in from work switched the ps5 on it was 10 percent to go managed to pause it and delete the update 😎

I'll complete the game first then replay it with the latest update.

[Dark Soldier]

Yeah, I'm now wondering how I'll beat some of the later bosses again when the difficulty seriously ramps up.

Moonveil and Bloody Slash haven't been nerfed. The former is still incredible.

Nerfs are good, too much stuff was ridiculously easy and I say that as a Hoarfrost user.

[Yevrah]

Moonveil and Bloody Slash haven't been nerfed. The former is still incredible.

Nerfs are good, too much stuff was ridiculously easy and I say that as a Hoarfrost user.

Completely agree it's a good move.

[Dark Soldier]

Give Moonveil a crack though. L2 + R2 is :drool:

[Yevrah]

Back to Mogwyn Palace on Journey 2 and it's double runes per kill. Getting 100k in about 30 seconds. :drool:

Up to level 215 from 211 in minutes. :D

[Andrew]

Royal Knight Loretta is ripping me a new one over and over again

Not even lasting more than 10 seconds before its over.

I'm lvl 47 with 25 in Vigor 25 in Endurance and 27 in str 20 faith.

Should have pumped up Vigor alot more I think.

[P_3]

I'm still running with 10 in Vigor and Endurance. Oops.

[phonics]

I’m never beating this final boss. I got one good run down to 25%.

[randomlegend]

I’m never beating this final boss. I got one good run down to 25%.

Took me over 70 attempts to beat one of the endgame bosses on MHW: Iceborne.

I will get this at some point.

[Shindig]

Out of stock in Gamestop. Boo.

[Yevrah]

I did it all with no spells or god weapons 100 levels below you Yev. You’ll be fine.


I’m never beating this final boss. I got one good run down to 25%.

:cab:

[phonics]

I am the Elden Lord. Suck my dick y'all.

[Yevrah]

Good effort Phonics. Gonna hit Journey 2?

[phonics]

Good effort Phonics. Gonna hit Journey 2?

Gonna do that other boss and help my boys for a few and then probably will.

[Yevrah]

First timed Radahn again in Journey 2.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzIyd15B9XM

Genuinely think I've stumbled upon the best strategy to beat him. Get your hardest hitting weapon, summon all the companions and get in there and smack the fuck out of him.

[phonics]

A few hours later I feel okay admitting it, 90 seconds into the final boss fight he just stood still and never attacked ever again. Me and a friend spent the next 3 minutes just laughing and doing charge attacks.

Going to respec into a moonveil and spell build for my next journey.

[Raoul Duke]

Went and farmed levels by killing some massive dragon to get my character a bit more resilient. Up to level 38 now and just croaked the Tree Sentinel for the first time. Also just got to Roundtable Hold

[Baz]

Went and farmed levels by killing some massive dragon to get my character a bit more resilient. Up to level 38 now and just croaked the Tree Sentinel for the first time. Also just got to Roundtable Hold

I tried that but smaller dragons kept creeping up on me while I was twatting the massive one.

[phonics]

I can't work out how to do New Game + :D

[Yevrah]

Go to the site of Grace in roundtable hold and activate it there.

[Raoul Duke]

I tried that but smaller dragons kept creeping up on me while I was twatting the massive one.

I used this guide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6xvvJr9yQY) - seems like you've got to stick to it fairly closely to avoid being destroyed by them. There was a message pointing out where to stand as well, so I just used my katana to croak it.

[phonics]

Go to the site of Grace in roundtable hold and activate it there.

I read that. Where is it lol

[Yevrah]

Ah, I see. It's in the main (round) room of roundtable hold, above the table in the middle of the room with the chairs round it. Just walk next to the table and activate it with triangle/Y.

I just got over 1m runes for killing a late game boss in Journey 2. :drool: Level 713 is on!

[P_3]

I've hit my first major block in Godrick. Even with my level 3 wolves, I can't even get close to getting him down to zero. I've held off on powering up my weapons, so that might be my next play.

[Yevrah]

It'll be the weapons. People seem to get fixated on the level in this (pot, kettle, I know), but the upgrading of weapons has the bigger impact and by a country mile.

[P_3]

I'm just worried that I'll blow my smithing stones on a shit weapon and then not have enough when I find an awesome weapon.

[Shindig]

That stuff is usually plentiful. Or at least farmable.

[Raoul Duke]

Baz or anyone else who's still early-ish in the game: this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYI5Z3jhKB4) has some awesome tips to get yourself and your equipment nicely levelled up. I've just gone up to the end of Chapter 5 with it and now have some excellent gear to set me up.

[Andrew]

I've spent nearly 40 hours in the "starting area" alone uncovered nearly every site of grace slightly ventured off to random areas of the map and just when I think this world is huge..

I uncover a lift that takes me miles underground to an area that looks like its in space and it seems the map has another layer that's just as big as the original one !!!

Amazing, amazing game...

[Raoul Duke]

Me and Blaidd just absolutely wrecked the guy who'd been giving me trouble at the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. I don't think he even got a hit on me :cool:

[P_3]

I've not done any of the Evergaols yet. I saw someone try one on stream and it was an absolute massacre, so I've been putting them off.

[Raoul Duke]

This Crucible Knight one gets a lot of fear...then there's this guy who beat it at level 10 (https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/tksdae/making_the_crucible_knight_my_bitch_at_level_10/) :D

[phonics]

I don't know what's up but my game is lagging to fuck now. Legit half the enemies I'm fighting are invisible because they're not loading in.

[Raoul Duke]

Just got teleported to Narnia, came back and croaked a dragon. :drool:

[Andrew]

Just died to "madness" please don't tell me they have carried over that bullshit mechanic from Bloodborne.

[Yevrah]

They have but it’s barely in the game.

[P_3]

So I've been exploring the area above Stormveil Castle having beaten Godrick. I've done a loop round the outside finding Albus Dumbledore and the BFG, and am now making my way up through the middle towards the Academy. Not fought any dragons yet (because I'm not a dumb dumb) but have been twatting the mini bosses in the caves/mines/crypts no problem. Every day is the same for me at the moment: wake up, work whilst planning my Elden Ring journey, play Elden Ring. And I love it.

[Yevrah]

It is an astonishing game. I'm enjoying Journey 2 more than anything I've played for years. 250 hours down now.

[Raoul Duke]

My mission tonight is to acquire the Ronin Set of armour, because it looks badass. Then I actually need to kick on a bit with the "main" quest line

[Andrew]

My mission tonight is to acquire the Ronin Set of armour, because it looks badass. Then I actually need to kick on a bit with the "main" quest line

Wait...

There's a main quest line 🤯

[phonics]

Went Journey 2. Killed Margit and Goodrick in less than 20 minutes :D

[Raoul Duke]

Wait...

There's a main quest line ��

I mean, in a very general sense. I'm kinda following this (https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Game+Progress+Route) - but when you visit a site of grace the yellow wispy arrows are directing you to the "main path" e.g. Limgrave -> Stormveil etc.

[Raoul Duke]

Went down a big lift and ended up in some absolutely bonkers area. Bailed before I got too far into it though but seems massive. Still got business to attend to in Limgrave - met Patches and the Samurai invader geezer this evening.

I reckon I'll have a crack at the boss(es) when I hit about level 50 which isn't too far off, think I'm at 42 right now.

[P_3]

There's two amazing bosses to find down there, they did hand me my ass though.

[Andrew]

My mission tonight is to acquire the Ronin Set of armour, because it looks badass. Then I actually need to kick on a bit with the "main" quest line


Went down a big lift and ended up in some absolutely bonkers area. Bailed before I got too far into it though but seems massive. Still got business to attend to in Limgrave - met Patches and the Samurai invader geezer this evening.

I reckon I'll have a crack at the boss(es) when I hit about level 50 which isn't too far off, think I'm at 42 right now.

Think that's where I ended up mate the magic ghost things ripped me a new one and I ended up wimping out and went back to Lingrave.

I've met Patches, nice to see him not being a spider but still a dick.

[Shindig]

Does he still look like Jonjo Shelvey?

[Raoul Duke]

Does he still look like Jonjo Shelvey?

Yes indeed he does

[Raoul Duke]

Up to level 50 now. Next time I play I'm off to have a bash at Magrit

[phonics]

I’ve completely fucked myself for when DLC comes out. Journey 2 is too easy and I can’t be bothered to do anything.

[Yevrah]

Stick everything you earned from Journey 1 in your chest Phonics.

[P_3]

Just rocked up at Radagon's Red Wolf as primarily a magician with 0 FP having wasted it all fighting the wizards before him. Two hits later, back to the bonfire I go. :happycry:

[Raoul Duke]

Up to level 50 now. Next time I play I'm off to have a bash at Magrit

Well, consider me over-levelled. Marge was croaked on my first attempt :D

[P_3]

Nicely done. I did him on my 2nd attempt. That was after exploring all of the south area (disclaimer for in case there's more stuff down that way).

I beat the wolf thing and have come across Ranella. Very interesting boss, but I was not really prepared for her, so I decided to go exploring the rooftops. So much fun finding the nooks and crannies.

[Andrew]

Came across a lift that I needed to use a medallion on to get it to work, jaw dropping to say the least the graphics seemed to go up a level the area seems to be in the middle of Autumn the sun shining through the trees with golden brown leaves. Stunning.

Rode round on my trusted steed until I got I shotted by a Tree Sentinal boss?

No chance I'm beating that for a while think I've ventured way to far north for my level.

I'll be honest this game is so big I'm totally lost in it. Going to have to follow some sort of guide to give me at least some idea of where to go.

Found a sword called fire amd night or something but going to be ages before my levels are high enough to use it.

[Raoul Duke]

Sword of Night & Flame? I read that was meant to be awesome.

I'm still mooching around Stormveil - not far off Godrick by the looks of things, so will give him a bash in the next couple of days.

[Yevrah]

Coming to the end of Journey 2 now.

https://i.postimg.cc/XNmHVsXM/stats.jpg (https://postimg.cc/8sdB4Bhw)

[Andrew]

I'm totally lost now..

I've defeated

Shardbearer Godrick
Leonine Misbegotten
Royal knight Loretta
Margit, the fell omen

What's the next boss I should be aiming for.

The only downside of this game so far is there are far to many "not the boss, boss fights.."

You fight so "bosses" that they don't stand out, unless they get really crazy later on.

[Yevrah]

If you wanna progress the main quest head to the massive castle/cathedral type place in the middle or Liurnia Lake. Or, if you wanna skip that beat Radahn in Caelid then head to Leyndell directly (which is where you need to go after Liurnia).

[phonics]

I'm totally lost now..

I've defeated

Shardbearer Godrick
Leonine Misbegotten
Royal knight Loretta
Margit, the fell omen

What's the next boss I should be aiming for.

The only downside of this game so far is there are far to many "not the boss, boss fights.."

You fight so "bosses" that they don't stand out, unless they get really crazy later on.

Mid left and far right.

[Raoul Duke]

Beat Godrick earlier this evening. Took me three or so tries but on the last go he got absolutely pummelled :cool:

[Andrew]

Got to the Acadamy needed a glintstone key..

10 mins later after a quick Google search I stumble across the dragon who is sitting on it.

11 mins later I'm spawning a site of grace minus 30k runes.

Planning on a non suicide run to get them back without waking up said dragon

I'll probably get eaten by a bear 2 feet away from getting them back.

Why don't I ever just spend the runes as soon as I get enough to level 🤯

[Yevrah]

Just get naked and sprint in and grab it.

[P_3]

Need some advice. I can now respec my stats and as I put 10 in Arcane to help with drops at the beginning of the game, I would like to use those points wiser. Will I be able to respec my stats more than once by finding more of the things that you need to do that or is it a one off thing?

[phonics]

There's 20 per Journey.

[P_3]

Cheers. Strength up to 40, let's go!

[Andrew]

Another boss down the Wolf dude.

Just reached the moon queen and that boss battle has a heavy Bloodborne vibe to it the 1st phase is a mixture of the college with slime students and the 2nd phase is the spider boss battle .

Think I'll finally update the game as the hoarfrost stomp ain't that good against anything that is quick amd even the some stationary or slow moving mobs seem to be immune to it..

[Yevrah]

Thought I'd see how quickly I could finish a Journey last night so into Journey 3 Bob went and a couple of hours late he was ready to start Journey 4.

[Andrew]

I've just beaten the Queen of the night and can now respend all my points again if I want.

Yevrah now your a seasoned pro mate what route would have you gone if you were starting from scratch again?

Magic or a pure strength build ? Or do the runes get so plentiful it doesn't really matter.

[Yevrah]

I think I was about level 150 when I finished journey 1 which isn't enough to be an Alan of all trades (but didn't go into journey 2 until I'd ground to level 211), and it's been so long since then I'm honestly not sure what route I'd go with a new game.

The Rivers of Blood Katana is, for me, the best weapon in the game, but you don't get it until late game territory so you couldn't hang a starting build on it. Which makes me think....I'd probably go Golden Halberd up to the point you get RoB (as it can take out all of the bosses to that point reasonably comfortably) and then re spec and switch to the katana from then.

Runes don't really get silly plentiful until you get to an optional area in the late game (that you can actually get to fairly early if you want) and combine farming it with a weapon you get from beating the final boss.

Any of that make any sense or help? Bit of a brain dump really.

[Yevrah]

On Rivers of Blood, here's Rennala getting beaten in Journey 3 in seconds last night.

https://clips.twitch.tv/JazzyCrypticAirGuitarStrawBeary-38VXbF0guBjE-WQm

[Andrew]

Cheers Yev, I'm sure I've got that weapon already didn't that annoying golden Knight on a horse drop it?

When I get back home tonight I'll check the stats required for it and build around that till later on in the game.

[Raoul Duke]

Got killed by some robot thing and teleported to Hell :cab: Fuck that boss fight with two of the bastards

[Yevrah]

Cheers Yev, I'm sure I've got that weapon already didn't that annoying golden Knight on a horse drop it?

That’s the one. What I would say though is that there’s no right or wrong way to play the game. If you’re having fun just crack on and the most fun I had in the game was when killing things was a struggle.

[Shindig]

It begins.

www.twitch.tv/shindigpsc

[Raoul Duke]

Been on a bit more with this and finished up the Academy. Croaked a big red fox and Rennala pretty easily - seems bleed worked well against them both.

[Shindig]

That was an alright first four hours. The scale's going to take some getting used to. Souls games don't tend to have empty space in them but I guess that's what Torrent is for. Margit's definitely a problem for later so I'll just wander in a direction and see where it takes me.

Right now it feels like a stretched out Dark Souls 2.

[Raoul Duke]

Ok, this is super useful: check if a fall will kill you (https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/tvalto/til_you_can_check_if_a_fall_will_kill_you_by/)

EDIT: comments say it's unreliable :nono:

[Andrew]

Think it's pot luck if a fall will kill you to a certain point anyway.

I've survived from a really great height then gone to do it again and it's killed me 🙄

[P_3]

I'm missing the 3rd boss, not sure if he is after the room with those two mini bosses from before in the castle bottom right, but have now rocked up at the capital. Hammered out 115 hours with this game. Easily GOTY.

[phonics]

Which 2 have you gone?

[P_3]

The one at Stormveil Castle and the one at the Academy. I know he's in the third main area, but I've explored everywhere and there's been no sign of him.

[phonics]

Bottom right and top left.

[Shindig]

I’ve killed my first Mariner and wound up in Caelid. Found a legacy dungeon with some bosses I can’t kill yet.

My damage output’s starting to look slightly behind the curve.

[P_3]

Bottom right and top left.
Thanks. Thought he'd be somewhere there. I'll have another bash at the mini-bosses today.

[Shindig]

Okay, 10 hour check-in. I'm at level 28 with my points getting split between Vigor (18), Strength (19?) and Dex. (17).

In terms of bosses down:

Soldier of Godrick, Pumpkinhead, The Mariner, that guy in the Evergaol

I've found a few others but only Tree Sentinel looks doable. I've got a weapon with bleed now and fancy maining that. Finding low-level smithing stones is a little tricky, though. And this weapon seems to go down a different upgrade path. I'll probably wander for some more caves.

[Yevrah]

The very last boss in this game really is crap. Every time I fight it I seem to spend 90% of my time chasing it around the arena it's in.

[Andrew]

Lvl 50 and I'm back at the starting zone going to clear up any bosses, mini bosses I've missed.

Following a guide roughly now as this map is insanely huge and I'll still be playing this game in 10 years time and still no closer to finishing the main quest.

I seem to make progress then I'm like "ohhh that looks cool over there then I spend the next few hours wandering through the woods picking mushrooms and gather flowers....

[Shindig]

Two more bosses down. Access to Stormveil granted or whatever. I feel you, Andrew. On the one hand, exploring for stuff is fine but when it stretches out into hours, you're not really sure what progress you're making.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm quite enjoying going around Limgrave and beasting all the gimps who made the first few hours a pain. Think I need a bit of that before I go off and kick on with the main quest again.

[Andrew]

Right according to this guide I've basically completed the beginner zone all caves explored all bad gurs downed.

Stats
Level 58

Vigor 36
Endurance 24
Strength 35


Rocking a Golden Halberd + 5
With the Twinned armour set.

Just found another way to reach Altues Platue by killing a dragon that couldn't fly in a cave...

Went up a lift to be one shotted by another Dragon who loves electricity 🤦

[Andrew]

I need to get into the Capital but there's a souped up tree sentinel with other ideas guarding the fog gate...

Can roughly get him to 50 percent then he's goes mental and the obligatory "You died" 🤬

It's a long run back to him from the spawn point so I'm giving up this plan of attack for a while.

Need more sombre smithing stones to level up my Golden Halberd not sure where to get them from though.

Things I love about this game

It's huge amd fucking beautiful.

Things I hate about this game

the controls and hit boxes make this game alot more difficult than it actually is.

[P_3]

Is that the one who shoots red lightning bolts from the sky. I couldn't get past him either, so started exploring everywhere else. He can wait for me a little.

[Andrew]

That's the one.

Where you exploring to?

I've cleared every cave and mini boss in the starting area and uncovered every church and site of grace.

Might do the same in the lakes the grace sites I've uncovered there seem a bit sparse so there's bound to be loads I've missed.

[P_3]

I'm exploring the whole of Atlus Plateau at the moment. Had a nosey by the windmills, the Minor Erdtrees and ran into Patches too. I've left it a bit vague, so you can enjoy the discoveries as much as I did.

I'm pretty sure there is a Statue of Marika by that Tree Sentinel, so if you do fancy trying him again, you shouldn't need to travel too far.

[Andrew]

What build are you rocking P3.

I platinumed Bloodborne by basically becoming a brick shithouse that had loads of strength and a near ending amount of hp.

The mage videos the way they melt the bosses in seconds look tempting to try out but I'm going to stick to the tried and tested route till I get to near enough the end I think.

[Shindig]

I do hate how the From boss formula has become, "Lets have it do long, fast-moving combo strings." It's the thing that stops me finishing Dark Souls 3's dlcs.

[P_3]

Strength and Faith are both over 40 and Mind is next up at close to 30. Vigor is a solid 10, so I die to everyone in one hit. :D

[Shindig]

Heh. Living dangerously. Part of me wants to wander around the open world one last round but Stormveil's enemies are relatively piss. And I've got some upgrade materials to become a heavier hitter.

[Andrew]

I've found Gelmir hero grave...

This place better have the most insane awesome op drops imaginable

Because if those chariot things racing up and down the corridors kill me again......

[Shindig]

So I'm in the Capital. :moop: Nothing to do here yet so I guess I can warp back. 4 bosses done today. All piss. It's also occurred to me I should see if I can find the NPC I may have got killed on my first day. Dogs followed me to his location, I took on his side-quest and he kept talking, despite disappearing into ash.

Godrick done. Much like Margit, my damage was good but needed the bleed to pop or the right window to turn up to get it done. Maybe half a dozen tries to beat him.

[phonics]

There’s a place you can resurrect npcs.

[Shindig]

I think I found it but it said I was sound. :D

[Yevrah]

You can definitely non aggro them there, but I didn't know you could resurrect.

[phonics]

I might have misread then. I didn't kill npcs so had no use for it.

[Shindig]

Neither did I. The mutant dog did it. If I can remember where that NPC is, I'll check to see if he's alive. Also, done the rolling pin of death dungeon. Good riddance, although I want whatever item is left in there.

[Raoul Duke]

You can non-aggro NPCs at the turtle pope, not resurrect them. I reached him today - you're flying through this Shindig, if you're already there. Think I've been playing a week more or so than you :cab:

[Shindig]

Yeah, working from home will do that. :D

Turtle Pope might be my favourite NPC. It's close between him, Latin Batwoman and Two Fingers.

[P_3]

151 hours in, level 99. Finally got inside the Capital today with the help of my ratties and have been exploring as much as possible despite how tricky it is to keep your bearings. I'm still shocked just how much game there is here.

[Shindig]

Might as well throw my stats up:

Vigor: 21
Mind: 9
Endurance: 23
Strength: 28
Dexterity: 23
Intelligence: 7
Faith: 8
Arcane: 11

My flask is up to 10 charges at +4. I've got a Bloodhound Fang +5 as my main weapon. Still using the Brass shield from real early on. I don't think upgrading it gets me any extra poise so I've left it as is. I will probably top up one of the magic stats to 10 just to get some basic spells going.

Not doing much with summons either. I'll find one I like at some point and pour all the upgrades into that. Speaking of summons, I found the festival. Didn't do so hot. :D

[P_3]

You're pretty much smashing through the game, nicely done. For the festival, swallow your pride, summon some NPCs and let them deal with the boss.

I can't do anything without my regular summons. I main my wolves for the fast things and the pumpkin head for the slower, tougher bosses. But there's loads more I'd like to try.

[Raoul Duke]

The two soldiers are my go-to right now. I've upgraded them a bit and they have a nice mix of range + tanky combat

[P_3]

Beat the boss in the Capital and have got the lift up to another area which takes up the whole of the top right of the map. So close to getting it all filled in, then I can just explore.

[Yevrah]

I’m thinking about a no summons game. :eyemouth:

[Andrew]

Just stumbled across the "festival" at Castle Redmane after spending the last few days trying to uncover all the sites of grace.

Managed to find
21 sites at Limgrave
7 sites at Stormhill
17 sites at Weeping Peninsula
45 sites at Liurnia of the lakes

This game is HUGE...

Level 70 nearly 70 hours in and I really do think I've only just scratched the surface of this can see it taking a lot of NG + to uncover all the endings, side quests etc..

[Andrew]

Radahan down and managed to get into the Royal city.

Hate this place already.

I've lost so many runes already in this place..

[Shindig]

I'm starting to feel a need to actually grind. Level 53 but every boss I've come across now seems beyond me in terms of DPS.

EDIT: Finally got into the Academy. Grinding for a handful of levels in Vigor got me past a load more bosses and the Academy itself feels quite comfy.

[P_3]

Slowly working my way through all the locations again as I've reached what sounds like a point of no return. Think I've beaten all the overworld dragons, but do have a couple more Gaols to clear. Then its trying to beat up all of those giant worm/rat things that have populated some of the latter caves and just found Mohg in the sewers. All of that with 10 Vigor, wish me luck.

[Andrew]

10 vigor!!!!

The reaction times of some people who play this game astound me.

Currently on day 4 of being lost/killed in the Royal Capitol.

Found a path that seems to be magically blocked by Margot? so can't get any further in that direction haven't come across any bosses in here yet so I'm obviously being dull and missing loads but I seem to be travelling up and down the same few corridors over and over...

This place could be the zone that ends my love affair with this game.

[Shindig]

I'm going to mainline the Capitol tomorrow because I think that's my next proper boss. It's at this point I've been looking at wikis and guides a bit more often. Mostly maps for any catacombs and bosses I've missed but also to prod me in the right direction for actual progress.

Finding The Academy made me feel really dumb as I'd had a note in my inventory basically telling me how to get there.

[P_3]

Found a path that seems to be magically blocked by Margot? so can't get any further in that direction haven't come across any bosses in here yet so I'm obviously being dull and missing loads but I seem to be travelling up and down the same few corridors over and over...
Climb the dragon's wing!

Just went back and watched Yevrah's first time attempt at Radahn. Those arrows that were doing a quarter of Yev's health bar, were killing me in one. :D

[Raoul Duke]

10 Vigor is proper bonkers. Would drive me mad to get croaked by anything that glanced in my general direction

[Shindig]

Fighting nighttime bosses is a bit shit. Fight, die, advance time, rest, repeat.

[P_3]

Fighting the ball bearing guys who just randomly spawn in when you fast travel to certain spots is also a nightmare. Which nighttime bosses have you gotten/killed? I can only think of the Night Cavalry.

[Shindig]

Yeah, I've done most of the Night Cavalry's I've seen. The Ball Bearing guys are unbeaten. I've found a Somber Smithing Stone 9 which does me no good til I find 6, 7 and 8 which all looks out of reach.

[Raoul Duke]

There's some flying dickhead in Liurnia of the Lakes who only appears at night

[Shindig]

Well, I'm level 70 now at Volcano Manor. I'll come back for the beast at the top of the mountain but not before I'm +9 on weapons.

[Andrew]

Some speed runner has finished Elden Ring in 1 min 23 seconds.

Then there's me 70 hours in getting killed by an over sized lobster.

[Shindig]

I've seen that run. I figured it wouldn't spoil anything because it was so short. I was right. All Bosses is over 9 hours long which is .... my kind of fucking speedrun.

[Baz]

Some speed runner has finished Elden Ring in 1 min 23 seconds.

Then there's me 70 hours in getting killed by an over sized lobster.
:lol:

[Shindig]

Well, I just smashed my way into the Capital after getting up to +9. The hoops I had to go through, though. :moop: 638 damage. :drool:

[Andrew]

Found myself a Game of thrones, throne looking sword. Ooooffff

[P_3]

Isn't that a relatively early game weapon from Castle Morne? It looks amazing but so slow.

[Andrew]

I'm all about the elder ring style!!

I'm rocking the Twinned armour set with the grafted blade greatsword.

I totally suck at this game but I look stylish while doing so 😎

[P_3]

I've re-specialised my stats to have a respectable 40 Vigor and have burned through all the caves, catacombs, mines in the world. Have also completed the Volcano Manor, Castle Sol and beaten the duo of Gargoyles to find a coffin I can snooze in. So much side content!

[Andrew]

I think I'll need 400 vigor to finish this game 🤣.

My weapon is at plus 6 so before I upgrade it further I think I'll have a look at what's the best or there abouts for an easily attainable weapon that scales with Strength well.

Although the longer I play this I think I want to go a more magic route.

Part of me dies inside when I watch a magic build melt a boss in seconds that's been using me as a dildo to self pleasure itself for days on end...

[P_3]

Its up to you. If you want Strength only, the GoT sword you've just picked up is perfect. If you want magic too, there's plenty of options there but they are probably locked behind tricky mini-bosses. But do bear in mind that you have to give up some of your levels to Faith or Intelligence and to Mind for FP.

I main a black flame spell with Faith which I used for Margit so it can be found early-ish and have picked up a Gargoyle black sword which scales off Strength and Faith and does Holy damage too.

Have you progressed through Leyndell the Capital yet?

[Yevrah]

Part of me dies inside when I watch a magic build melt a boss in seconds that's been using me as a dildo to self pleasure itself for days on end...

I wouldn't worry so much about this. The endless build videos, screaming OP!!!!!!!!!!! in the title are a bit misleading. Basically, far more things than you would ever imagine are over powered if you've maxed it out and have the appropriate buffs going. Sure, some things are better than others, but you can make a load of things very very useful, the game was designed that way.

I assume the magic stuff you've been watching is based around Comet Azur, which against slow moving and large bosses is very good when maxed out, but against anyone agile, they'll just dodge it.

On a similar note, I see yet another patch has been released balancing things. The game remains one of the best ever, but so much more of this stuff than was should have been sorted before release.

[Andrew]

Have you progressed through Leyndell the Capital yet?

I found the main boss after I scaled the dragons wing like you said but there's no way in hell I'm beating him anytime soon so abandoned the place for the time being and went off exploring.

Found the molten Manor did the quest lines as far as needing to get to the land of the giants but I think I need to kill the boss back in the Capital to get there.

I'm level 80 now put 40 in vigor and 40 in strength with stamina now being bumped upto 30 next on my list to level think it's at 23.

I've missed so many quest lines but can always go back to them if I ever reach a new game plus.

[Andrew]

If I remember right I'm now stuck at the serpent boss in Molten Core and at a dead end against the golden demi god in the Capitol.

*Molten Core* had a flash back to the 40 man raids in WoW when I typed that 🤤

[P_3]

Use the Serpent Spear (can't remember the name) you pick up at the beginning of the boss battle. You don't even need to power it up, it absolutely destroys the boss!

For a bit of an easier time. If you've beaten Radahn go back to Limgrave and follow the floating rocks in the distance to the east. They'll lead to a reasonably easy area to explore with a great summon to use.

[Shindig]

Hmmm ... have they patched out a Stake of Marika outside of Rykard's boss arena? I think they might have.

[Baz]

If I remember right I'm now stuck at the serpent boss in Molten Core and at a dead end against the golden demi god in the Capitol.

*Molten Core* had a flash back to the 40 man raids in WoW when I typed that ��:drool:

[Andrew]

Been stuck with the Game of Thrones weapon for ages at plus 6 for the life of me couldn't find the plus 7 sombre stones anywhere..

So after finishing off the Boss in Nokron City and gaining the mimic summons I set off back to the Capital to sort out the boss there...

Instead I fall down a sewer lose 160k in runes that I forgot I had but find a sewer full of level 7 sombre stones.😎

[Andrew]

Shall I go with Radhans weapon now? is that pretty decent it looks awesome plus I can get the armour set to go with it 😀

[Raoul Duke]

You can get Bell Bearings which you can give to the Twin Maiden Husks which let you then buy infinite amounts of the Smithing Stones. It sounds like your weapon is under levelled a bit - I'm only about level 60 and have +9 on my katana.

[Shindig]

I've maxed my blade out and got a usable summon now. And boosted my shield to a +10 or something. One more big boss down and some ball bearings.

[Andrew]

Upgraded the mimic summing to plus 4 not sure if I want to repsec so I can use that blade you get from the god devouring serpent boss in Volcano Manor.

Looks pretty sweet with all the defeated gods stuck to it and reaching out plus it heals you as you kill/hit things which is a bonus.

[Shindig]

Notable internet retard Darksydephil still hasn't finished this. Here's his stats sheet:

Vigor: 43
Mind: 15
Endurance: 35
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 71
Faith: 9
Arcane: 7

Level 141. 675 deaths. 105 hours. All that intelligence, uses no spells and runs around with a sword. Fuck.

[Andrew]

Got myself Radhans weapon bumped it up to +9

Headed off to Mohgwyn Palace and found a sweet little farming spot

The site of grace Dynasty Mausoleum entrance if you head east into the pool of red water there's 2 caves with tadpole head people that refuse to attack you just keep killing them and the ones outside making a sweet 100k runes in 10 mins 😎

[Andrew]

Ignore my brag about finding a farming spot apparently its the most well known one amongst the Elden Ring player base 🤦

[P_3]

Wow, you're burning through all of a sudden. I've only just done Mohgwyn Palace! I did need to open up the last part off the snow map for it, not sure if there's another way that you found?

[Shindig]

Two bosses down in the Mountaintops. Seems like I'm the right level for this place.

[Andrew]

Wow, you're burning through all of a sudden. I've only just done Mohgwyn Palace! I did need to open up the last part off the snow map for it, not sure if there's another way that you found?

You know what I've forgotten how I got here...

I think I beat the Golden guy in the Capital city then used a lift that brought me here..

The lift was next to a section in the Capital city where you have to face a fat guy and a thin guy after the screen goes black and you fight them in the dark.

[Andrew]

Nope that's how I got to the land of the giants.

There's a white face npc who gives you a quest to invade someone 3 times once you complete that he asks if you want to join his order.

Once you joined he will give you a pure blood medal if you use that you get transported there.

[P_3]

Ah that's cool. I don't have Playstation Now or whatever so there's no way I'd have got there that way. I've noticed that there are occasionally two ways to get somewhere. For example to get to Altus Plateau, you can get the medallion and take the lift up or you climb up the cliff face north of Liurnia beating the magma wyrm in the process. Love it.

I've got to Malenia and she's a nightmare. Hits like a truck and recovers her health with every hit! Anyone got any tips?

[Andrew]

Git gud!!!😜

Yeah I think you need to use the finger summons he gives you and its gotnto be online which sucks if your not signed upto ps plus or whatever.

Also love how this game actually makes you feel more powerful as you upgrade your stats/weapon.

Then again it delights in riping your head off and taking a crap down your neck in equal measure.

[Yevrah]

Use a bleed weapon that swings fast. She's got dreadful poise so you can stun lock the shit out of her.

[phonics]

I’m trying to do a all quests run for a character I can use for when DLC comes out. As my NG+ games are zero fun. It’s such a pain in the arse.

[P_3]

Use a bleed weapon that swings fast. She's got dreadful poise so you can stun lock the shit out of her.
Thanks for that. It took me the best part of today but I've done it. Respeced twice, first to a Str and Dex only build with a Flamberge with 101 blood loss build up which got me to the 2nd form but still wasn't enough. Second to a Dex and Arc build in order to dual wield a Nagakiba and a Rivers of Blood, which finally got me over the edge. Kudos to anyone who managed her with magic or any other method, as she is one tough cookie. I think I'm going to go trigger the Erdtree burning, do the end game and pick up any missed quests and the remaining trophies in NG+.

[Shindig]

Rykard's done. Stacked every boost I could muster into charge attacks and eventually got him down after a couple of close calls. I've got enough endurance now to wear some heavy armour and Fire Giant looks doable.

[phonics]

Rykard's done. Stacked every boost I could muster into charge attacks and eventually got him down after a couple of close calls. I've got enough endurance now to wear some heavy armour and Fire Giant looks doable.

Just use the fire talisman and use the serpent hunter and it's easy as.

[Shindig]

Probably even easier now I'm at +9 on it.

[Raoul Duke]

The spider hand things in Carian Manor can eat shit and die

[Yevrah]

Burn them with fire.

[Shindig]

I just murder them with my blade. Radahn's done now. Easy. It should be at level 96. I celebrated by killing the Double Sentinels. Fire Giant remains on fire, giant and alive. Boo.

[phonics]

Looking at everyone else. P_3 is my spirit animal. Completing the game at level 90 and with 30 vigor is an achievement.

As I said I started a new game to do an all quests run and this is my new build I just need another 15 points in stamina.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/270326079648956433/968160730811609238/unknown.png

[Andrew]

The only way I've ever been able to complete Dark Souls and Bloodborne is to basically out level everything and grid my levels up.

So the people who like p3 finish these games with so little hp etc amaze me.

I've got the DLC for Returnal calling me but I just can't put this game down.

Currently going round twatting all the Mini bosses I can find that have given me grief over the last 120 levels 😎

[P_3]

Oh I've bumped the low Vigor/Health on the head after the Fire Giant. Getting twatted by everyone in one or two hits got boring. I have a standard 45+ Vigor now. :D

I am about to enter the Erdtree, am I near the end?

[Yevrah]

If you're in the Erdtree, that is indeed the end.

[phonics]

Enjoy that fight...

Thank fuck that boss Yev fighting Radahn'd me.

[Andrew]

Do the directions you get from sites of grace ever disappear my map is covered in arrows ATM.

Do they stay there till you finish a quest line etc or are they permanent.

If its until you complete a task or what not that means I've missed a ton of quests...

Yevrah did you get round to finishing it a 2nd or 3rd time?

I would love to Platinum this game at some point but think it will take a few playthroughs

[Yevrah]

I think I got to Journey 5, but got bored so haven't touched it for 2/3 weeks now.

[Shindig]

Well, I can certainly say I'm in the endgame now. Giant done, I killed the thing at the top of Mt. Gelmir for good measure. Not really worth it for the runes but an alright fight.

[P_3]

Final boss beaten, credits rolled, best game of the year. Now to bash out a few intelligence runs, do any missing side quests and get the Platinum trophy.

[Andrew]

To help with the platinum I think you can upload your save before you choose the ending get the trophy for it then delete the save and download the save file you upload to the cloud or memory stick and do the other two endings.

Saves running through the game 3 times if that's all your aiming for.

[P_3]

I don't mind. I've blasted through, almost literally with my Glintstone magic, the first two main bosses in about an hour. Going to do Radahn then look for the lift up to Lleyndell, then to catch up with you and Shindig. :P

[Andrew]

So I've been battering all the mini bosses, tree sentinels, cave and catacomb dwelling bad guys I can find.

So with my new found confidence I swaggered up to the land of the giants like a Billy big bollocks and got twatted in seconds by the first mob that crossed my path🤕

[P_3]

Completed the 2nd run and got the 2nd ending. Used magic up until just after the Fire Giant, resorted to the trusted Katana to clean up the last few bosses. Will see what a pure Strength build is like for the 3rd and final go. Can then move on and play something other than Elden Ring!

[Shindig]

Heh. Of course they have a Gargoyle fight. :D

[Raoul Duke]

I'm still ambling along on my first play through. I thought I'd unlocked most areas now, but a quick check of the wiki suggests I still have around 50% to go, which is madness :D

Picked up a few of the more well-known weapons/Ashes like Hoarfrost Stomp and Nagakiba so will be testing them out. Still very much a Samurai bleed build so I expect I'll work towards Moonveil and go on from there. Might dual-wield a couple of katanas

[Andrew]

Getting bored of strength now the bosses are to fast mobs chase you down to much so I'm constantly rolling and getting hit etc.

P3 you having much fun as strength on your 3rd run through?

I have alot of the decent weapons now so going to respec into some sort of bleed build

What's everyones opinion on the best way to go?

[P_3]

I got as far as the last three or four major bosses with the pinwheel weapon which was fun but so slow. I'm now back at the last boss wielding the Rivers of Blood Katana. I'd definitely recommend you use that or one of the other Katanas. Or even two if you're feeling it.

[Shindig]

I'm still using the Bloodfang which might get me over the line. I've got a couple of back-ups in the works but most of my points are still getting spread between Vigor and Endurance. I throw a couple into Dex when I feel like I need it. I don't think the bleed from the weapon is popping as much as it did earlier. I've got something like 4 big bosses left.

[Andrew]

Just picked up the rivers of blood katana so might swap to a bleed build soon.

I've made my way to castle sol killed commander Neil well my mimic killed him while I stood back and watched !!

Picked up another half of a secret madillion I didn't realise I had and ended up in the secret area concentrated snowfields.

This place is going to put me off snow for life.

[Shindig]

I've finally found Castle Sol and looked up where to get the mimic tear. Almost took him out. Almost. Spent most of today trying to mop up any areas with bosses left in them. I'm level 120 now so it's not for the runes. 95 hours in. I might get this finished next week.

EDIT: Alright, I'm at the last boss now. Might polish some extra stuff off. I've found another area. Mimic Tear is ... taking the piss. :D

[P_3]

After spending 3 days on the final boss, I've got the Platinum trophy. On Journey 3, its health is astronomical so it was a relief to finally get it down to 0 and knock the game on the head. Will definitely come back for various mess about playthroughs with fists or whips or something, but after spending 269 hours with the game, I'm done. Any tips needed for certain end game bosses drop a message in here and I'll help if I can.

[Shindig]

Even in my first run, I'm surprised that second phase is such a tank.

[Andrew]

Stellar effort P3, I've just swapped from Strength to a arcane/dex rivers of blood build.

Can't get some of the talismans needed (due to me accidentally killing a giant blacksmith needed for one of the talismans) so had to make a few changes.

Went into the underground under the Capital city which the fat boys down there caused me grief to kill as strength to see if there was much difference...

Spammed L2 on the first dude I came across and his hp bar just vanished then I realised I HAD NOT even upgraded the Rivers if blood weapon😲

Went back to the blacksmith smacked it upto lvl 10 went over to the land of the giants, the fire giant I couldn't touch as strength I absolutely murdered.

Insane the difference in power between the two styles...

[Shindig]

Credits rolled. I've left a couple of optional bosses because, frankly, I can't be arsed to travel to them. As much as I like the Dark Souls lore, I barely took any of that story in. I also don't think the bosses had any of those memorable moments. Like, I remember seeing Gwyn rush you for the first time, Ludwig's guiding moonlight speech, Ornstein and Smough getting ready to mess you up, Vendrick's reveal, etc. I don't get any of that in this. Maybe the Radahn stuff but this game seems really limited by repeating bosses.

Bloody good journey, though. Even if most of the stuff I grabbed wasn't relevant to my build, the open world made me want to discover shit. Even in 110 hours, I spotted the big pot in Caelid and got that thing done. Having enough levels, weapon upgrades, etc to give yourself a plan B is good and giving you an early-ish chance to respec does open up your options.

The Stats

Level 137

Vigor: 51
Mind: 10
Endurance: 46
Strength: 32
Dexterity: 47
Faith: 7
Intelligence: 10
Arcane: 20 (12 + the Tear helmet bonus)

111 hours.

Gear

The heaviest armour I could find. Lionel's set? The Giant Jar talisman meant I could mid-roll that. I pivoted to the Rivers of Blood once I realised the DPS was going to pay me back more than the Bloodfang. The Brass Shield +24 did enough to hold back attacks. And had some health regen on successive attacks to keep me from popping flasks as much.

[Andrew]

Agree with you there Shindig. The sheer amount of bosses kind of dilutes the impact of them lore wise, Bloodborne I spent hours watching the lore videos.

Elden ring even i when I've finished the last few bosses I really don't feel connected to it other than its an amazing open world huge game.

I'll definitely go into new game so I can complete all the quests and get the platinum though.

[Andrew]

Think I've killed every boss besides

Maliketh
Hoarah
DragonLord Placidusax
LichDragon Fortissax
Godskin Duo
Astel of the Void

And the final boss.

Think I'll kill all them before I start new game plus so all the trophies are done just focus on the quests and weapon trophies in the next playthrough.

[Raoul Duke]

The chariot tip about halfway through here is super cool:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLofrwRlBg

[Shindig]

Off the top of my head, I missed:

Melania, Placidusax, Mohg, Fortissax, Fell Twins?, Fia's Champions. Probably some more but the fact they show up at different locations makes me wonder. I didn't take on many Death Birds, either.

[Shindig]

My second character is basically the first one minus the intent to use the same weapons. Axe to start with until I get Moonveil or something else that has status effect goodness. And no summons this time.

[Andrew]

I'm about to give up on this, not even coming close to defeating The elden beast..

[Yevrah]

Equip a load of holy damage negation gear and spells and you’ll be fine.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm still nowhere close to finishing this :D Currently at Altus Plateau after switching back to FIFA a bit more recently. Does feel like I've hit a point where I need to level up a bit (currently in the early 70s) with a level 13 ish katana/Samurai build

[P_3]

I'm about to give up on this, not even coming close to defeating The elden beast..
If you are really struggling and just want to beat it, move on and don't mind a re-spec then you could track down a spell called Pest Treads which does immense damage to it. You need Faith for it and I think it also gets boosted by a high Strength. If you also pick up the Black Flame spell, you can beat Radagon very easily with that and your Mimic will have more health going into the Elden Beast.

[Shindig]

Yeah, I got it done with the mimic and holy damage negation. I ended up coasting the final phase when I finally crossed the line.

[Andrew]

I'm having more trouble against the final boss than any so far, I'm lucky if Radagon goes down before I'm down to my last few hp potions and my mimic is on its last legs..

I've got quite a few Laval tears so think I'll give your advice a go P3.

[Andrew]

Kinda give up on rivers of blood working against The Elden Beast.

Watched some dude on YouTube take the boss apart using the scavenger curved blades

Copied his build

80 arcane the rest in hp and stamina.

Spent a few hours killing the skeleton that drops them, maxed them out switched them to occult put the bloodless war ash on them, donned the highest holy damage resistant gear I had.

Stood at the entrance to the boss battle followed the buff/potion switch of head piece bollocks.

I stood before Radagon confident that I was going to one shot the mother fucker.

I walk into the mist screen loads, wife walks into the bedroom with kids following her all hell breaks loose I can't see what's going on

Wife walks out of room leaving me alone with the words "you died" mocking me on the screen..

[Raoul Duke]

Found my way to the rune grinding spot with all the fishhead guys and the suicide bird so I'm up to level 125 now. Was getting a bit bored of my bleed/katana build so now have a few more options to mix in some magic and try some different weapons. Next on my list is Mohg, after I croaked Varre, the little weasel. Really want to try out his Sacred Spear

[Andrew]

Been busy with work so haven't had time to have another crack at elden beast until tonight.

Covered my self in holy damage reduction gear and it's one of the easiest fights in the game.

Ending was a bit crap though, think I'll play through it again to see it all the quest lines I was totally oblivious to the first time round clear up the reminding trophies and go for the last two endings.

[Yevrah]

The Elden Beast is a properly rubbish final boss. Which is a shame.

When the DLC rocks up I might try a no summons run.

[Shindig]

Aye, a proper anti-climax for a game that's not really hitting the heights of the others.

[Shindig]

NG+ is such an odd thing. I'm expecting the difficulty to snap back at some point but I've just battered my way up to the endgame. At least it's a leisurely way to cross the other endings off.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, NG+ only got noticeably harder around the 4th or 5th run through and even then not that bad.

[Andrew]

It's nice battering things that previously made you want to set fire to your games console.

Following a guide at the minute so I can complete as many NPC quests as possible on this run through also collect as many items as I can.

Although I forgot how quick I kill things now so Patches quest line is ruined as I killed him hitting him twice ..

It's amazing how much content I missed out on even in the starting areas now I'm using a walkthrough.

Definitely be hitting Platinum on this.

[Shindig]

Fuck it, I'm finished. I've not got the drive to bother with the bosses I've missed and trophies. This is a good game once.

[Raoul Duke]

Still plugging away at this. Croaked Astel this evening so am pretty close to finishing off Ranni's quest. The Lake Of Rot can suck a fat one though

There's a load of areas I've not even been to yet though.

[Shindig]

Lake of Rot is thankfully not very long. I hate how they plonk a boss in there whilst you're rotted. I deleted this the other day. Couldn't be bothered to finish the second playthrough. The back section just does not excite me.

[Raoul Duke]

DLC out tomorrow :|

Looks like co-op + PVP focussed


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3gvvJ8JHs4

[Shindig]

Yeah, not really what I come to these games for.

[Andrew]

The main DLC announcement is expected at the game awards Thursday isn’t it? Not really into the pvp side of the Souls games.

[Raoul Duke]

Ok - It. Is. Done. :cool:

Finished it at Level 236 with 231 hours played. Mostly stuck with katanas throughout (Uchi, Moonveil, Nagakiba) with a few others mixed in and some spells/incants. Was pretty completionist (hence why it took me since March :cab:) but there's still a few odds n' ends I need to knock off. Will mooch about levelling up and tying off the loose ends in prep for the DLC.

Overall, it's a phenomenal game. I think it's just behind Fallout 4/Skyrim in my all-time favourites but it's easily right up there as a masterpiece (it's arguably "better" than the Bethesda games but I just like them a little more). If you haven't played it you are seriously missing out on a gaming experience.

To nitpick a few gripes: the lore is fantastic, although definitely they could do a better job explaining things (like don't give every character the exact same fucking name), some of the controls are a bit wonky and there are some weapon types they seem to completely ignore every patch (hi bows) but these are all small irks rather than anything major.

[Yevrah]

A year on from when I first started this masterpiece and I've started again. This time, I want to finish the game without using the spirit summoning bell. Up to level 31 now and taken care of Margit.

[Raoul Duke]

Any particular build?

I started really liking the Holy weapons towards the end of the game

[Dark Soldier]

It absolutely is the greatest game of all time. I've started again with a Colossal Weapon build.

[Yevrah]

I've gone for power stancing two standard swords, one with a blood Ash of War on it and the other with a holy effect. Might mix it up as I go through though.

[Shindig]

I started again with the intent of doing the NPC quests. I fucked that early on and have decided just to do a summonless all bosses run. Two runes down after 17 hours but I've spent the last couple wandering about trying to remember where stuff is.

[Dark Soldier]

I bought the first part of the guide the other day. It's fucking beautiful. Get on it Yev.

https://i.ibb.co/sjh5NdN/20221129-120023.jpg

[Yevrah]

That does look luverly.

[Adramelch]

Finally got the game and started with a Confessor, just because the look intrigued me if I'm totally honest. I'm only a few hours in but it's been a great experience so far (and I am not generally a fan of the Souls type of game).

That said, I do wish all the developers that make this style of game just eventually decide to get rid of some quirks that offer nothing to the game. Why can I not compare gear? Why do I not get tooltips on statuses? Why does autolock just randomly switch to that rabbit far off in the distance midfight?

[Adramelch]

Spirit summons do really trivialize a lot of the fights don't they? I am thinking of starting a new game and skipping that mechanic entirely (along with just doing a few things better now that I got more of an idea), since I'm still only like 10 hours in or so.

[Yevrah]

They do indeed. I'm on a current playthrough not using them and things are much more satisfying so far.

[Yevrah]

I keep getting an increasing amount of these videos popping up in my Youtube recommended and they're starting to piss me off.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ytzvWqqn4

Now fair play to him for one-shotting Maliketh, but what in the fuck is he actually doing and what impact is each action having? I thought you could apply four different types of buffs, yet he's stood there for an absolute age doing all types of shit.

[Adramelch]

Finished the game:

https://i.gyazo.com/26adf9723092390b62c1093e0ea37188.png

114 hours it took me.

I killed most of the bosses I reckon, bar some of the birds and cavalry (just killed whichever of those I stumbled upon). Open world games are my jam so I explored every little nook and cranny really. I started with uchigatana dual-wielding, then transitioned to bloodhound fang early-ish on with a sort of quality build and stuck to it with a few exceptions (I think I killed maybe 10ish, mostly lesser, bosses with a colossal weapon where breaking their stance looked like the way to go). I don't remember what level I was but whenever I encountered Elemer I had some trouble and I decided to swap to a light load build for the better dodge. I ended up oneshotting him after that and just kept the same setup from there on out. Eventually I went even further with something like 14 load, with the blue dancer charm for damage. I also used no summons at all since in my first playthrough, which I abandoned after 10 hours or so, it felt like they trivialize a lot of the fights.

Obviously the game is incredible and up there with the best of them but I do have some issues:
- Since exploring everything is my thing, I ended up overlevelling a lot of the bosses even though I did 0 rune farming. Maybe it's a me thing, but it did somewhat "ruin" (for want of a better word, I still had a blast) the experience for the first half of the game. It got better when levels started mattering less, but it really showed as I barely struggled in any of the story bosses. Apart from Maliketh, which took me I would say around 40 tries, every other major boss was below 20 tries, with most of them below 10. One-shotting Morgott and Fire Giant was a bit of a letdown. I do know that they've been tuning the bosses though, like Radahn and all the duo fights, where they made them easier.
- I do like the whole lack of hand-holding in this game, but I do wish that there was a bit more info on the questlines, rather than seemingly just stumbling upon an npc's new location. It's actually no surprise that the Ranni ending is the one most people have completed, since it's the best designed questline, both in terms of story but also in terms of it being easier to follow.
- That's more of a generic complaint with gaming, but there's something to be done with massive bosses. Fighting a lot of the dragons, Elden Beast and any of the Tree Spirits that were inside dungeons was a real pain in the ass and a subpar experience at times.

In terms of individual bosses, I thought Radagon was a great boss, as was Maliketh, although I do have to say that the latter took me a lot of tries to actually figure out his patterns, since the animations were all a bit same-y.

[Shindig]

I don't mind overpowering the bosses because they move at a speed you simply can't. And yes, massive bosses are a pain to fight. Maliketh was a pain in my arse for how quickly and spasmodically he'd string attacks together.

I like the Radahn fight. It doesn't feel cheap to summon for that fight and I feel the spectacle is worth it. There's very few fights in that game I'd get out of bed for. From have done better elsewhere and Elden Ring misses that kind of focus. The world design goes up a notch whilst the bosses become a bit of a mush.

[Adramelch]

Radahn didn't do much for me, I'd have mostly preferred him not to be on a horse because he does a lot of rings around you as is. He does have one of the most cinematic entrances in that intermission though.

[Shindig]

Ah, but it's a normal sized horse and he's not a normal sized man.

[Adramelch]

Oh ye it was a spectacle for sure, I'm talking more mechanics-wise I guess. He does a lot of movements that feel unnecessary.

I've also started watching these and they are hilarious. I've been following that guy since he started doing those animations for Warcraft and he never misses the mark.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSyRf8rAjTs&list=PL0QrZvg7QIgpCbON63OPDLhEtNKBXvWPn

[Raoul Duke]

When you say "one shot" do you mean 1 try? Or 1 attack?

Did you get to Malenia?